Nevada County picayune., 1887-08-25
LESLIE HARPER; TIE BEAUTIFUL SONGSTRESS

P''o oibSilg, salu RaS nor Galnes In an undertone.
 His companion, handsome man of thirty or whereabouts, looked up with a faint smile. and glow il, his dark eyes. Music was the thing that Leslie Harper loved best, his all absorbing passion. the mistress of his heart.
 He had cultivated the art in q nigh degree, and really worked as arduously as though it was with hln question of future gains, in. stead of his own satisfaction.
 'We are always sure of rare treats in Mrs. Worth's parlor.n he answered.
 Il have never aeen Miss Cecile De Fere. said Raynor. in fact, she Is known by few here, but she has the reputation of being a charm Ing artist and a beautiful woman. She never sings publiciy-she is wealthy, they say, and very proud; but Mrs. Worth was a dear friend of her mother, and that is why we are so favored, 1 suppose.'
 A sudden hush had fallen, d dark, bearded man was seen to take his place at the piano. and then between the silken curtains that fell from the freScoed arch at the further end of the spacious apartment, slender, graceful form appeared.
 i There were folds of silver hued satin trailing the floor, and wine red tulle looped upon it's gleamine surface; marble white throat rose above a twisted vine of sil yer amid the masses of red brown hair.
 Leslie, pleased by the artistic costume, gazed intently at the singers face; nor was he diSap. pointed.
 Then the red lips parted, and a burst of melody set the crystals above Quivering. How pure and sweet was the voice, how express i've; there was something almost weird about it. and the higher notes vibrated like the tones of a harp.
 Yet not the voice alone entranc- ed Leslie, his gaze was riyeted on the sweet, earnest face. and there was look in his eyes no woman had ever read there before.
 The music ceased, the singer had gone, but still he sat with that glow in his eyes and hls heart throbbing. It was as though spell had fallen upon him.
 Then there was a stir, the mur- mur of voices; the guest were ris- ing, and Leslie heard his friends voice as he spoke to their hostess; heard her reply:
 Miss De Fere has gone am sorry, but she could not remain. It was kind of her to keep her promise and give me even that brief time. Is not her voice ex. quisite.'
 Cecile De Fcre gone! Then gone was Leslie's interest in Mrs. Worth's musicale.
 He saw many fair faces, but one that was fairer than all to him lin- gered in his memory, and he thought of naught but that.
 "What has happened to me! he asked himself, when he had re. turned to his rooms in the Alber- marie. believe am bewitch. ed.r
 He did not think that man who had spent a dozen years nnscath- ed by the fire of many brilliant eyes, untouched by the melody of many winning voices, could be conquered in one moment by the power he had oft made jest of.
 Cecile De Ferrc--the name was music to him, and he longed for the time when they should meet again.
 Within the next few days, how ever, he learned that the beautiful singer had gone to the South, that her health WAS not of the best, and her physicians had advised the change.
 Leslie was strangely restless during the days that followed, and he was glad when the winter sea son came to an end.
 He met Raynor Gaines one day, and they went to the club house to dine together.
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